Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-0971-9674
Date of Graduation
8-2021
Document Type
Thesis (MS)
Program Affiliation
Medical Physics
Degree Name
Masters of Science (MS)
Advisor/Committee Chair
James Bankson
Committee Member
Christopher Walker
Committee Member
Jason Stafford
Committee Member
Gregory Ravizzini
Committee Member
Sanjay Shete
Abstract
Clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging is most widely known for anatomical images with good image resolution and superb soft-tissue contrast. However, changes tumor metabolism may precede changes in gross size of the tumor. Newer studies present the use of 13C in MR imaging to interrogate tumor metabolism. With this additional information, not only can the size and makeup of a tumor be obtained, but also information about its metabolic characteristics. An increase in glucose uptake and production of lactate in the presence of oxygen—aerobic glycolysis—identifies abnormal metabolism, and hence a potential increase in tumor aggressiveness. Traditional 1H MRI of the prostate is carried out using a disposable endorectal coil. Reusable intracavitary instruments, such as 1H and 13C/1H rigid endorectal coils, are classified as ‘semi-critical devices’ and must be processed by high-level disinfection (HLD) between uses. Current methods of HLD are based on chemical immersion. Consequently, the number of clinics implementing this HLD process is highly dependent on availability to significant investment of infrastructure and specifically trained staff. If clinics could feasibly perform and document HLD processing without such high demands, adopting the standards required by the JCAHO for reusable endorectal coils would become more attainable. The trophon® 2 system is an FDA approved device for carrying out HLD on reusable ultrasound probes. This device is small enough to sit on a tabletop and can also easily vii document HLD processing. Although trophon® 2 has been cleared for use with ultrasound probes, it has not been cleared for MRI coils. The purpose of this work was to assess the viability of using trophon® 2 for HLD of a rigid endorectal coil. We hypothesize that high level disinfection of rigid endorectal coils, by means of trophon® 2, allows for complete disinfection of the biological safety level 1 organisms advised by United States Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary, and no degradation of the coil's signal to noise ratio performance.
Keywords
Rigid Endorectal Coil, MRI, HLD, SNR